Salmonella Prompts New Recall of Pig Ear Pet Treats

Bravo! is recalling select boxes of its Bravo! Pig Ears Chews because the pet treats have the potential to be contaminated with the Salmonella pathogen, a dangerous foodborne contaminant.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets have decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy, pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

People handling the recalled pig ears can potentially become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after giving them to their pet. Healthy people infected with the Salmonella pathogen should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Rarely, Salmonella poisoning can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

To date, the company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with this product; however, it is important to bear in mind that the symptoms of Salmonella poisoning can take some time to manifest.

Bravo! Pig Ears were distributed to retailers on the East and West Coasts and were shipped to distributors and retailers between January 1 and February 28, 2011, where they were available for purchase.

The contamination was discovered as a result of the routine sampling program conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, which revealed that the finished products contained the Salmonella bacteria. The company has no product left in inventory from this batch of pig ears.

Consumers who have purchased any of these pig ears are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the recall, should visit www.bravorawdiet.com or call the firm, toll free, at 1.866.922.9222 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Of note, last month we wrote that the FDA announced another contaminated pig ear pet treat recall that involved Boss Pet Products, Inc.â€™s Diggers Natural Treat Pig Ear Pet Treats and Blackman Industries, Inc.â€™s PrimeTime and KC Beefhide brands Premium Pig Ears. In those cases, there was one report of a dog in Missouri diagnosed with Salmonella poisoning at the time of the mid-May report, which prompted the recall.

In March, we also reported that thousands of boxes of Jones Natural Chews Company Pig Ears were recalled over potential contamination with sometimes deadly Salmonella pathogen.